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Does Shale Gas Benefit or Add To Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

There have been several studies of the impact of natural gas produced from shale on air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Selected critics believe that methane and other emissions from shale production are greater than commonly thought, but the majority of experts find the emissions associated with shale gas-fueled electric power generation to be significantly lower than those using coal or oil as a fuel source.

Clearing the Air: Reducing Upstream Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Natural Gas Systems – World Resources Institute (2013)Key findings include: “Cutting methane leakage rates from natural gas systems to less than 1 percent of total production would ensure that the climate impacts of natural gas are lower than coal or diesel fuel over any time horizon. This goal can be achieved by reducing emissions by one-half to two-thirds below current levels through the widespread use of proven, cost-effective technologies.”

Surprise Side Effect Of Shale Gas Boom: A Plunge In U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Julie Carey/Navigant Economics via Forbes (2012)“One of the primary factors for much of the improvement in the U.S. environmental picture includes the shale gas revolution … the country’s increased reliance on natural gas (and displacement of some coal-fired generation) has already benefited the environment, and will continue to do so in the future.”

Characterizing Pivotal Sources of Methane
Emissions from Natural Gas Production – URS Corp./LEVON Group (2012)Survey of 91,000 wells in producing formations across the U.S. (October 2012) found that methane emissions from natural gas production are 53 percent below what the Environmental Protection Agency had estimated in 2011. URS collected data for 26% of all US gas wells in 19 of the 21 most significant producing basins. The survey sample employed was 10 times greater than EPA’s. Methane emissions tracked through different stages of production.

Some Thoughts in the Howarth Shale Gas Paper– Michael Levi, Council on Foreign Relations (2011)“[Howarth’s] analysis is based on extremely weak data, and also has a severe methodological flaw (plus some other questionable decisions), all of which means that his bottom line conclusions shouldn’t carry weight.”

Characterizing Pivotal Sources of Methane
Emissions from Natural Gas Production – URS Corp./LEVON Group (2012)Survey of 91,000 wells in producing formations across the U.S. (October 2012) found that methane emissions from natural gas production are 53 percent below what the Environmental Protection Agency had estimated in 2011. URS collected data for 26% of all US gas wells in 19 of the 21 most significant producing basins. The survey sample employed was 10 times greater than EPA’s. Methane emissions tracked through different stages of production.

Some Thoughts in the Howarth Shale Gas Paper– Michael Levi, Council on Foreign Relations (2011)“[Howarth’s] analysis is based on extremely weak data, and also has a severe methodological flaw (plus some other questionable decisions), all of which means that his bottom line conclusions shouldn’t carry weight.”